Aug. 15, 2006
ODU received seven first-place votes and 63 total points to take the top spot in the poll. Northeastern, which fell to the Lady Monarchs in the conference title game a year ago, garnered a pair of first-place votes and ranked second with 55 points.
James Madison tallied 46 total points earning them third place, while William and Mary followed closely with 42 points to claim fourth. Hofstra was picked fifth in the poll, followed by Delaware, Drexel, Towson, and VCU.
Old Dominion returns nine starters from last year's 19-6 squad that went unbeaten in league play. The Lady Monarchs advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Field Hockey Championship and were ranked #3 in the final NFHCA national poll. Among the top returnees is 2nd team All-America forward Dana Sensenig, who topped the league with 53 points (19g, 15a). Also back are 2nd team All-South Region players Caroline Nichols, who tallied a CAA-best 19 assists, and Denise Admiraal (18g, 5a), who was also the CAA Rookie of the Year.
Northeastern returns 16 letterwinners off last season's 16-6 squad that placed second in its first year as a CAA member. The Huskies were ranked #16 in the final NFCHA poll. Leading NU this season will be 3rd team All-America forward Whitney Shean, who contributed a team-high 49 points on 19 goals and 11 assists. Shean is joined by a pair of All-Northeast Region midfielders in Ashley Webber (12g, 3a) and Ashley D'Ambra.
James Madison posted an 11-9 overall record last year, almost tripling its win total from 2004. The Dukes have 13 letterwinners, including seven starters, returning from a squad that was ranked nationally for much of the season. Leading JMU will be 2nd team All-America midfielder Baillie Versfeld (10g, 6a) and 2nd team All-CAA midfielder Ashley Walls, who topped the team with 17 points (10g, 7a).
The CAA has traditionally been among the top field hockey conferences in the nation, ranking third in last year's conference RPI rankings. 2006
The Lady Monarchs host their annual alumni game this Saturday at 1 p.m.in Foreman field.
CAA FIELD HOCKEY PRE-SEASON COACHES POLL
1. Old Dominion (7 first-place votes) 632.Northeastern (2 first-place votes) 553.James Madison 464.William & Mary 425.Hofstra406.Delaware 327.Drexel 218.Towson 169.VCU 9(Teams received eight points for a first-place vote, seven for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.)